Suggestions Please

[74_XBody]

Hi guys, I'm new to the forum and am kinda lost on the whole Pro-Touring community. Basically I like the idea of having a car that can handle well and also do well in the 1/4. I am currently planning a 1300hp TT BBC to put in my 1974 Nova. What I would like out of the car is to be able to handle well with a ton of power. I was looking into a Martz Chassis 4 link or the Heidt's 4 link, but I have read some negative things on both kits. Basically I want a rear suspension that can handle an estimated 1000hp at the wheels but still plant the tires in all directions. Any help and suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I'm also looking for it to be fairly cheap. I'm leaning more towards the Heidt's kit because I found it for $1050.

[Motorcitydak]

You should call them to discuss the ability of their system to hold up to that much power. Another really important thing in a car that will handle well is the front suspension. Also, the total weight of the car and weight distrubution. You really want half of the weight on the front and half the weight on the rear tires. That would not be very easy to do with a heavy BBC in the front of the car. It could be shoved farther back for better distribution, but that is another can of worms

[ProdigyCustoms]

Cheap and good are polar opposites! We sell multiple suspension systems, but none of the ones you mention. The 3 systems we sell I suggest are (in alphabetical order not preference)

Art Morrison 4 link rear clip, about $3500 with 9" housing

Chris Alston G Link, About $3300 with rear end housing

DSE Quadrlink, about $3300 with rear end housing.

[Lowend]

You will find in the automotive world, you get exactly what you pay for
The best IMHO
http://www.lateral-dynamics.com/

You might want to take a peak at Jody's page as the Alumin8r is a similar project goal on the same basic chassis
http://camcojb.com/alumin8r/ although I believe that car rolled on leaf springs

[74_XBody]

I like all of those kits and I'm not sure which way I want to go. I know the weight of my big block is going to hinder handling, but I just love the sound and power of them. I already have the engine mildly built, the TT setup is for the future, but I am looking for strength and if it comes at a larger price then I am willing to sacrifice the cost to achieve that goal. I am going to look at what I am willing to spend and I will let you all know my plans. Thanks for the input. When can I look forward to seeing the pro touring online store up and running at Prodigy Customs?
Tim

[ProdigyCustoms]

We have the store check out is coming very soon. But I am still a phone guy. Internet is a great thing, but nothing quite like talking to a live person.

[LowBuckX]

You will find in the automotive world, you get exactly what you pay for

I still hate this phrase and it doesnt stand true 100% of the time...

[74_XBody]

I looked into all of the kits and I'm really digging the Lateral Dynamics set-up, but am kinda leaning towards the Chassisworks kit, due to the fabricated 9". I need a rearend that won't twist axle tubes. I am however going to email LD and inquiry about a fab'ed rearend for their kit. Also going to ask if they have a kit for the Nova, didn't see one on their site, but if all else fails, I will purchase the Chassisworks kit.

[MrQuick]

I looked into all of the kits and I'm really digging the Lateral Dynamics set-up, but am kinda leaning towards the Chassisworks kit, due to the fabricated 9". I need a rearend that won't twist axle tubes. I am however going to email LD and inquiry about a fab'ed rearend for their kit. Also going to ask if they have a kit for the Nova, didn't see one on their site, but if all else fails, I will purchase the Chassisworks kit.

where are you located?

vince

[MoparCar]

Is the Lateral Dynamics suspension still available? If so who and how? Is it now through Speed Tech since ATS used to be the distributor and Speed Tech now owns ATS?

I sort of thought LD was gone at least for now. Please correct me if wrong. I sort of put them out of my plans.

Thanks, Wes

[Bjkadron]

I still hate this phrase and it doesnt stand true 100% of the time...

Yeah but mostly when you build it yourself. Otherwise it is usually true.

[silver69camaro]

If you can get that much power to hook, a 3-link probably wouldn't be the wisest choice...unless if it was purpose-built for that much power.

[BRIAN]

With 1300hp I think you need to give some thought to which is your main objective. Putting 1300hp to the ground is going to have some conflicting parts there. Running a car through the cones and harnessing 1300hp without upsetting the balance of the car might be a challenge.

If you are talking highway cruiser I think it would be more obtainable. When I see posts like that you have to question how serious you are? Why wouldn't you get on the phone and get some serious answers as that will most likely require some sort of cage and frame change or alteration. Not trying to insult you but that will be large purchase and also require quite a bit of info exchanged to get right.

Sure it can be done with stock type parts but on a continuos and reliable basis it will require some serious components.

[74_XBody]

I am located in North Carolina, and 1300hp is a rough estimate of HP at the flywheel. I am looking for a suspension that won't break if I had 1300 at the wheels. I am expecting more around 1000 at the most. And my plans are mostly for cruising and maybe some autocross and 1/4 mile runs. I will be adding some frame bracing and a 10 point cage as well so hope this gives you a better idea of my intentions. Thanks again for all of the help this far, still haven't heard from LD about their 3-link, so it looks like Chassisworks might be the kit I go with.

[LowBuckX]

cruising and autocross are the 2 things Id avoid with 1000hp.

[silver69camaro]

cruising and autocross are the 2 things Id avoid with 1000hp.

No kidding. Shoot, 350HP and a novice driver usually spells trouble on HPDEs.

[74_XBody]

Well the car now currently has a 454 with around 500hp and that will be the motor that will get ran in it until I have the funds to do the twin turbo setup or until I change my mind. Like I stated before, the TT project is in the future and my mind may change between then and now. Hell I may realize I have enough power already. I am just planning ahead and attempting to get the strongest rear suspension that will allow me to autocross. As for the weight of the big block, there was an article in this month's Super Chevy that had Speed Tech's '69 Camaro doing pretty good in the testing, so I'm not too worried about that, I'm not doing it to compete, I' doing it to enjoy for myself! Thanks guys.

[MonzaRacer]

Also think about adding in air ride as the ride and hooking ability with it is unreal, my 71 Monte had no mods but poly bushings and rear cool Ride with manual fill and it was AWESOME.
There used to be a video up on the ridetech website with under car shots of a ShockWave equipt race are, full on sportsman drag car, running air ride, from everything I have gathered from friends who go racing they love the ability to simply add a pound or two to a corner to make it hook better.
With 1300hp in the plans you might think about a traction control kit similar to what Satan's Lady Bug will be running(check projects section)

[Lowend]

Let me suggest...
With a 500HP 454, you are already making more power than can be used 95% of the time. Keep that for now

Don't worry about the budget for the chassis, or suspension and just do that properly first.
If you really want to go Auto-Xing a 4-link is a bad choice, due to inherent geometry errors (you just can't get a long enough LCA into a 1st gen chassis).
Get the Laterial Dynamics, or Hotrods to Hell Stage II Kit and start from there. You make have to Beef-up some pieces, but in general I find that stuff to be pretty tough.

If you have any dreams of hooking up in the Nova, you are going to mini-tub it to fit a decent tire, you better plan on buying a rear end (9" or 12 Bolt) that is going to take the kind of abuse a rear 1000-HP engine can put out.

We haven't even talked about chassis strengthening (we are well into roll cage land) on this car. Oh and brakes...

My point is, you have A LOT of prep-work to do on this car before it's ready for a real monster of a motor. Forget about the costs of the engine all-together and worry about the chassis.

[74_XBody]

Lowend,

Everything you said is basically what I plan to do thus far, except for the rear suspension. I am probably going to go with the Chassisworks G-link kit with either their Fab9 or another fabricated 9". I DO plan to complete the chassis and suspension before all else. I am planning to add some additional bracing that I will get from AME and I also plan to mini-tub the Nova with tubs from DSE. As far as the roll cage is concerned, I am planning to put in a 10 point. And brakes will be 4-wheel disc from Willwood. As of right now, those are my plans. Budget isn't on my side considering I am in the Army and don't make a whole hell of a lot. But seeing as I am deployed to Iraq right now, it is helping me a little making the extra cash. I will be in contact with Frank Serafine from Prodigy Customs shortly to discuss other aspects of my build. And as for the Lateral Dynamics set-up, I have not heard from them yet to whether they even have a kit for the Nova, so Chassisworks it will be.